Operator&#39;s station structure for tractors



July 7, 1953 E. F. .HRSA

OPERATORS STATION STRUCTURE FOR TRACTORS Filed Aug. l5, 1948 5Sheets-Sheet l HVVENTDR. E. F. J RSA ATTORNEYS July 7, 1953 E. F. .HRSA2,644,538

OPERATORS STATION STRUCTURE FOR TRACTORS Filed Aug. 15. 1948 5Sheets-Sheet 2 Haz y 22 JNVENToR.

E.F. JIRSA TTOPNEKS BY l;

Patented July 7, 1953 OPERATORS STATION STRUCTURE FOR TRACTORS Emil F.Jirsa, Waterloo, Iowa, assgnor to Deere Manufacturing Co., Dubuque,Iowa, a corporation of Iowa Application August 13, 1948, Serial No.44,162

8 Claims.

This invention relates to a tractor and more particularly to anoperators station structure therefor.

' The conventional tractor comprises a longitudinal relatively narrowbody supported at its front end on front wheels and at its rear end on atransverse axle structure including relatively widely spaced tractionwheels; an operators seat is carried on the body between the tractionwheels and includes a seat ahead of which are the tractor steering wheeland other controls for the tractor. It has heretofore beenknown toprovide the rear portion of the tractor with fender and platformstructure to protect the operator from the traction wheels and toprovide for the operator a convenient standing area on which he maystand to operate the tractor. The platform further serves as means bylwhich the operator may mount or dismount from the tractor. In suchknown constructions, the fenders have not always been adequatelysupported because of the peculiar relationship between the axle housingand the relatively narrow body; that is to say, it has heretofore beendiiiicult to appropriately tie the fenders together without resort torelatively expensive structural members between the fenders and thebody, inasmuch as it is desirable to locate the fenders as widely apartas lpossible to give the operator the greatest amount of room on theplatform. Further, the traction wheels'are usually of substantialdiameter and this requires that the fenders be correspondingly large,with the result that the upper portions of the fenders are relativelyremote from other portions ofthe tractor on which they could besupported.

According to the present invention, the oper- 'ators station structureincludes a platform,

fenders or side sheets, and supporting means for upper forward portionsof the fenders including an enclosure or compartment structure ahead ofthe operators seat and rearwardly of the forwardly located engine andhood structure, it being a feature of the invention in this respect toutilize the enclosure structure for the purpose of tying the fenderstogether and to the body and for the further purpose of housing orcarrying tractor auxiliaries such as storage batteries. A further objectof the invention is to utilize the enclosure structure as means fordelineating the forward portion of the operators station. l Anotherobject of the invention relates to the provision of an enclosure andstructural element' in the form of .a plurality of related wallportions, one of which forms a generally upright cowl extending acrossthe operators station between the fenders 2 and a forwardly extendingtop joined at its rear edge to the upper edge of the'cowl and extendingforwardly toward the engine and hood structure. A still further featureof the inventionv resides in the provision of supporting means withinthe enclosure element for carrying storage batteries or the like forthe* tractor, in connection with which it is a subsidiary feature of theinvention to provide the top portion of the enclosure structure withopenings through which access may be had to the storage batteries or thelike, these openings being normally closed by removable covers.

inasmuch as the lateral distance between the fenders substantiallyexceeds the width -ofzthel engine and hood structure, the transverselyelongated enclosure or compartment structure will overhang at eachsideof the engine and hood structure. It is a further feature of the invention to locate the storage batteries or other auxiliaries in theoverhanging portions ofthe enclosure or compartment structure, leavingthe central portion of the structure available for:v

other purposes. Other objects of the invention are: To provideappropriate enclosure means or shields between the fenders or sidesheets and the body, particularly at the points `where the fenders arespaced laterally outwardly from the body and also at points where theenclosure structure is spaced vertically aboveA the laterally outwardlyextending axle housing; to provide improved Ysupporting means for theplatform, preferably lcomprising longitudinally extending supportssecured to the .axle housing and tied together with a transverse supportthat is secured to a rearwardly extending power take-oit shaft housing.

The foregoing and other important objects and desirable featuresinherent in and encompassed by the invention will become apparent as thedisclosure of a preferred form of the invention is made in the followingdetailed description and accompanying sheets of drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the rearportion of a tractor embodying anoperators station structure constructed according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the structure shown in Figure 1,the near wheel and the y near fender having been removed; y

Figure 3 is a fragmentary rear elevational View, partly in section, asviewedalong the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figurevl is a fragmentary bottomY plan View of the intermediate portionof 'the platform and drawbar structure;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional View taken substantially on the line5-5-5-5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional View taken substantially on the line6 6 of Figure 1,

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line'i-l of Figure 1; and

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line8-8 of Figurel.,` j.

Although the drawings illustrate and the fol-Y lowing speoication willdescribe the invention in connection with a tractor of the type havingrear traction wheels and a forwardly extending body including an engineand hood structure, it

is to be understood that the various principles of the invention can beused in: other vehicles. AoL

cordingly, the present disclosure should be taken as illustrative andnot limiting.

The basic structure of the tractor illustrated l is typical of manytractors and accordingly will i be described only generally, a workingknowledge of conventional details being assumed. The tractor isillustrated as'having ra relatively narrow longitudinally extending bodyIt including a mainframe or case Il and a rear axle structure,designated generally by the numeral I2. The tractor shown here is of thetype illustrated in the U. S. patent to McCray 1,919,069 in which` themain case comprises the rearward or crank case. part of an internalcombustion engine of the kind in which the cylinders are horizontal andextend forwardly. The numeral I3 designates the 'rear part of anenginehood structure which overlies the rear part of the main case andwhich may include a'fuel tank (not shown in detail), as. is conventionalin many types of tractors.

Y The rear part of the main case II is provided with a transverse flangeI which is secured to the forward face of an intermediate enlargedportion I5 of the rear axle structure I2. The rear end of the enlargedportion I5 is closed by a coverhousing I S in the lower part of which isformed a rearwardly extending housing I'l within which is journaled arearwardly projecting power takeloff shaft It. The power take-off shaft,the enlarged intermediate portionv I5 `of the axle structure, and themain case II and engine hood I3 are substantially in longitudinalalinement. In the case of the vparticular tractor illustrated, there isslight lateral offsetting of the various center lines and in othertractors the offsetting will be more pronounced; however, this islargely a matter of design and doesnot materially affect the presentinvention. y

' The rear axle structure 'I2 includes a pair of axle housings l 9 whichextend laterally at opposite sides of the intermediate axle housing portion I5 so that the outer end portions thereof are relatively widelyspaced apart laterally as respects the relatively narrow Width of themain case II. The rear portion of the tractor is carried onground-engaging supports such as rolling traction elements here shown astraction wheels'Zl, each axle housing I9 journaling there# in an axle 2|(only one of which is rshown in Figure 2) for connection in anyappropriatemanner to the proximate traction wheel. 4

The tractor may be supported in any suitable manner'on front wheels (notshown) which are steered by a steering wheel 22 located substantiallycentrally of and above the rear axle structure I2 and carried at therear end of a forwardly extending steering column 23, the rear portionof the latter being appropriately supported 'at 24 from an upper portionof the rear amer structure I2. In Figure 2, there is shown at 25 ahousing or cover structure which is secured to the right hand side wallof the main case II. This housing structure is not important to thepresent in vention and may be considered for all practical purposes asan integralpart of the main case. The upper portion of themain case I Iis, as best show-nin Figure-2, substantially.; t,the general level ofthe'uppermost portion of theintermediate axle housing part I5. Thegeneral level of the axle Ihousings I9 is considerably below that of thelevelof the ytop of the main case, and the general level "of the upperportion of the engine hood structure I3 is considerably above thegeneral-level of themain case.

Accordingtothe' present invention, the rear portion ofvthe'tractor isprovided with an im- V provedoperators station` area which includesgenerally' a pair of side vsheets or fenders 26, av

generally? level platform 27, an operators seat 28 behind the steeringwheel 22, and an enclosure orcompartment structure. l2@ located *aheadof the. steering wheel .2-2. and behind the -rear part of theengine hoodI3. As best seen in Figurer, these components areefiiciently grouped todelineate an operatoris :station whichY the oper ator may be comfortablyseated and Iin which he has ample room to stand and tomountanddismountfrom the tractor. c:

The supporting of the platform 2'I is vac complished primarily: byVmeans-,utilizing thegrear, axle housings" if; To--this.end,leach'housing I9.- is provided with a pairoflower mounting pads; orsurfaces 3d totherearv ones-of; which the forward portion of theplatform is secured as by cap screws 3l. Theforward portion of theplat-` form is. cutout at ltoaccommodate the cover housing I5 for theintermediate portion I5 of the rear .axle structure .I2. The platform 2lextends rearwardlyl of Y the axle housings I9v and cverlies the powertake-,off shaft housing Il; The. platform is supportedA along each ofAits laterally outermost edges by'a longitudinally extend-1 ing-'supportpreferably in the'form of an angle bar SS which issecured by th'e'capscrewI :and a second cap screw--Sllltothe mountingpads. Si) under theproximate axle lhousing I9.. YThese angle-bars 33 aresubstantiallycoextensiverwith the 'platform` 2'? inirearward Aextent'andr^'each isApreferably secured tothe platformby a plu-` rality/of' nut andy boltassemblies 35. -The intermediate portionl of the'platf'orm isladditionally supported by means secured to thepowertake-'off shafthousing Vl.' This means v'preferably -com-- prises/a transversevplatesecured tothe rear face of the power-take-off-vshaft housing'l'l'by aplurality of cap vscre'v'vs 37 and having a` lower` integral liiang'e38, fthe purpose ofA which will appear below. The member' 36L-3Il issubstantially Shorter than the 'Width10fthe platform 21 and has securedthereto af'pairY of laterally spaced, rearwardly extending,V generallytriangular plates Se, eachgofwhic'h securedgfasby welding vat 40, to theniemeer sedes alla each of whihfhas a fiang'ed upper end el which is'secured by bolting at d2 to the intermediate portion of the platform21. VThe intermediate portion of the platform is cut out'at :13a-bevethe'power take-olf shaft i8.

From the description thus vfar,' it will be seen that the platform' isrigidly supported by the axle housingsv 'I9and additionally by thepowertake-off shaft housing I'I.A ,The points of support arellongitudinally:.-spaced apartand thus adequately carry theY platform.against twisting strainsV imposed by verticalfloading. Asbest 5i shownin Figure 1, the platform 21 extends rearwardly at opposite sides of theseat 28 and each of these portions of the platform is turned up, as at44, for reenforcement of the platform between the proximate supports 33and 39.

The transverse member 36-38 not only serves as part of the supportingmeans for the platform 21 but serves also as part of a 'supporting meansfor drawbar structure for the tractor. The particular details of thedrawbar illustrated here form the subject matter of assignees UnitedStates Patent 2,528,784. However, the same will be briefly describedhere for the purpose of illustrating its relationship to the platformstructure. The drawbar itself comprises a longitudinally extendingdrawbar member 45 which extends beneath the member 36-38 and beneath theintermediate portion l5 of the rear axle structure I2, projecting aheadof the latter to be pivotally carried at 46 by a short transverse member41 which is in turn rigidly secured at its opposite ends to the forwardends of a pair of longitudinally extending supporting bars 48. The rearends of these bars are carried respectively at outer end portions of thetransverse member 36-38, as by bolts 49, and these bars are carriedintermediate their ends by mounting pads 5D provided at the bottom ofthe intermediate part I5 of the rear axle structure I2. The bars 48 arepreferably secured to the mounting pads by 2 Each of the angle bars 33lpreviously described as supporting the1 platform 21 has its rverticalflange projectingdownwardly forthe purpose of supporting a proximatefender 26.M Each member 33 extends both forwardly and rearwardly of thetransverse center line of thev axle structure I2 and the lower portionof each fender is substantially coextensive with and rigidly secured tothe proximate member 33, the securing means preferably including aplurality of bolt and nut assemblies 55. The general shape of eachfender is best shown in Figure 2, wherein it will b e noted that therear portion of each fender extendsY alongside the operators seat 28anda forward portion of each fender extends alongside the rear portionof the'engine hood I3. lt will be further noted, particularly fromFigure 2l, that the forward portions of the fenders are respectivelyspaced substantial distances laterally out-v wardly from the sides ofthe engine hood I3, all of which is consistent with the idea of givingthe operator as much area as possible at his control station.

The enclosure or compartment structure A29 is, as previously stated,located just behind the rear part of the engine hoodV I3 and extendstransversely across the tractor body between the rightv and left handfenders 26.` This structure includes a first transverse supporting meansin the form of an elongated member 66 which is flanged at opposite endsand secured respectively to the fenders 26, as by boltingat 6I.A The'mem-l ber 6I] includesalong its rear edge along up turned flange 62,which provides means for Vthe attachment 'ofv aY tunnel-like elementhavinga pair of angulaifly related"walls 4` 63' and* 64. T The' wall 63is substantially vertical or upright -and extends transversely acrossbetween the fenders 26, and has its lower edge secured to the fiange 62on the member 6U as by means of a plurality of bolts 65. rlhe walls 63and 64 are preferably formed from a single piece of sheet steel and thewall 64 provides a top or cover element which, like the vertical wall63, extendsacross between the fenders 26. The arrangement of theelements comprising the walls 63 and 64 unies thev forward end of theoperators station and the ver-v tical wall 63 provides a cowl ahead ofthe steering support 24.

For the purpose of supporting opposite ends of the element 63--64, thefenders are provided respectively with mounting strips 66 (Figure 6),each strip being secured to its respective fender preferably by a seriesof spot welds, as indicated at 61. The element 63-64 is removablysecured at opposite ends respectively to the strips 66, asv

by a plurality of bolts 68. It will thus be seen that the wall portions63 and 64 serve to tie the forward and upper portions of the fenders 26together. Inasmuch as the walls -63' and 64 are angularly related,` theelement 63-64' has greater strength than a single wall. In addition, thevertical wall or cowl 63 is secured at 65,v as aforesaid, vto the flange62 on the transverse member 60 and the latter is in turn rigidly securedto the body by means of a plurality of cap screws 69 (Figures l and 5)which are threaded into appropriately tapped bores in the intermediateportion I5 of the axle structure I2. `The transverse member 60 is itselfa member of'su'b-l stantial structural strength and, being disposed at alevel intermediate that of the top wall 64 and that of the platform 21,serves as an intermediate support or tie member for the fenders 26;

Inasmuch as the member 60 is at a level above the upper surfaces of theaxle housings I9, and

inasmuch as the member has a length greater l than the width of the bodymain case Il, there would be vspaces at each side of the intermediateaxle housing portion I5. 'Howeven 'these spaces are closed by shieldmembers 10 (Figures 2 and 5), each of which has a flanged upper portionsecured to the flange 62 of the member 6u and each of which further hasa lower flanged portion secured, as by cap screws 1I, to an uppermounting surface 12 on the proximate axle housingr I9.

The spaces between the forward portions of the fenders and oppositesides of the engine hood I3 are respectively closed` by a pair ofshields 13 each Yof Awhich is secured to a vertical portion of theproximate strip 66 on the proximate fender 26, as is best shown inFigure 6. These shields thus provide forward wall portions for the enclosure structure 29, the intermediate vportion of the front of theenclosure structure being left open because` it is directly behind theengine' hood I3 and engineauxiliary parts between the bottom ofthe hoodI3 and the upper part of themain` case I I.

The forward portions further secured to the Vbody I3 bymeans of a secondtransverse supporting means including a pair of vrelatively shorttransversely 'extending supporting members 14, one of which is shown inposition in the sectional View `in Figure 7. l .Each

member 14 is anged at its opposite ends, as at 'L15 and 16,respectively. The flanged end 15"f'is' secured to the proximate fender26 as by a pair of bolts .11 and theinne'r or other flanged en d'16 issecured to the proximate side ofthe main case of the lfenders 26 are Vtt as by'cap screws le. Each. fender is additionally supported on therear axle housing I9. proximate thereto, each supporting means includinga mounting pad iis preferably cast. integral. with the aX-ie. housingand provided with a. pair of tapped bores 8.1i The fender is providedwith a diagonallyY extending reenforcing member 82 preferably Spotwelded to the exterior face of thefender and having secured thereto amounting bracket S3 (Figure 8). Each mounting bracket 83 is flanged andappropriately apertured to receive a pair of cap screws 8d which are inturnreceived by the tapped bores Si in the axle housing mount-l ing pad8B. Y

From the description thus far, it will'be seen that: the fenders areadequately supported in such. manner that they will easily bear theWeight Qfi the operator in the event that he is thrown against themduring operation of: the tractor. Further, the fenders and the enclosurestructure 2.9, together with the platform, ZLdelineate an operatorsstation that affords the operator ample room for operation of thetractor while he is. either standing or sitting. In addition, the

structure is such as to contribute to the pleasing appearance of thetractor. Y

A further utilitarian function of the enclosure structure 29 resides inthe enclosing thereby of tractor auxiliar-ies,A here shown` as a pair ofconvention-al storage batteries 85. Each kbattery is carried by thesupporting means afforded by proximate portions of the supports G9 and15. Asbest show-n in Figures 1 and 5, the batteries 8.5.

.are respectively carried in those portions of the enclosure structure2a that overhang the main Gasel l. The batteries are thus disposed atoppo site. sides of. the center line of the, tractor body and in suchposition allow for the accommodation between them of such otherauxiliaries or controls as may be, desired., Each battery may` beconveniently and removably secu-red to theV supports to and 711 by longbolts lili. and wing nuts 31.

Access, to the .batteries l through the top 64 of the enclosurestructure 29 may be had through a,` pair of openings .88 formed in thetop wallll and normally.I covered or closedl by removable covers so. Thecovers may be secured to the top wall ed in any suitable manner, thedetails of which are not important here.

The several broad. objects. of the invention have been stated at thebeginning of the foregoing specication and other and more specic objectshave been made apparent in connection with the description of theseveral detailsy of the invention. Other objects,4 not specincallymentioned herein, y will undoubtedly occur to those versed inthe art.It. will be understood, of course, that the foregoing description andaccompanying illustration are based upon a preferred form of theinvention and it will be apparent that this preferred form of theinvention is susceptible to numerous modi-r fications and alterationsWithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as definedin the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. For a tractor of the type having a body or frame including alongitudinal portion and a. transverse rear axle structure extendingrespeta tively laterally at opposite sides of the longitu-f dinalportion to provide outer end portions on said, structure, and a rollingelement at each outer endportion: an operators station, comprising apair of upright side sheets spaced apart laterally and extendinglongitudinally respectively at opposite outer end portions of the axlestructure 8. to provide'fenders lying respectively along the inner sidesof the rolling elements and spaced laterally outwardly from oppositesides of the-longitudinal body portion.; a platform extending across andbetween the fenders rearwardlyv ofthe rear axle structure; meanssecuring the platform to the tractor body; means securing the fenders.,

to the platform.; first transverse supporting means including asupporting member disposed ahead of the rear axle structureV andextending across and between the. fenders above the longi tudinal bodyportion and at a level spaced above the level of the platform therebyleaving spaces respectively at opposite sides of the body between thelevel of said member and the level of the platform; means rigidlysecuring said mem ber at opposite ends respectively to the fenders;means securing said. member intermediate its ends to the body; secondtransverse supporting means disposed ahead of the rst supporting meansand secured. to the body, including a pair of supporting portionsrespectively bridging the spaces between the fenders and the sides ofthe longitudinal body portion; an enclosure extend.` ing over the iirstand; second supporting means and transversely between the'fenders; meanssecuring said enclosure at its opposite ends 11espectively to thefenders; and means including a pairof laterally extending and alignedvshields depend-ing from the transverse supporting. memframe including alongitudinal portion. and a transverse rear axle structuree-xtendingrespecf. tively laterally at opposite sides of the longitudif nal.portion to provide outer end portions on said structure. and a rollingelement at. each outer end portion: an operators., station, comprising apair of upright side sheets spaced apart. laterally and extendinglongitudinally respectively at opposite.- outer end portions of the axlestructure to pro vide fenders lying respectively along the inner sidesof the rolling elements and spaced laterally outwardly from opposite.sides ofthe longitudinal body portion; a. platform extending across andbetween the fenders. rearwardlyl of the rear axle structure.; meanssecuring the platform to the tractor body; means securing the fenders tothe' platform; first transverse. supporting means including a supportingmember disposed ahead of the rear axle structure and extending acrossand between. the fende-rs above the longitudinal body portion.; meansrigidly securing said memberat said enclosure at; its opposite endsrespectivelyto the,- fenders.. Y

For a tractor of the type having a body in-V cluding a longitudinalengine hood structure ter- Y minatingat itsrear end aheadof atransverserear axle structure. that extends respect'vely laterally at oppositesides of the. longitudinal structure to provide outer end portionssustained respectively on rolling elements 'at opposite sides: of thetracaxle,

tor: an operators station, comprising arpair of upright side-sheetsspaced apart-laterally. and

v`supporting means, one looatedfahead of andthe y `"f Jfth'erjbehinigltheaxlestructure, eachjncluding ember secured to theytrac'torv bodyjan'dex- ,tje ding laterally' -in opposite'directions respec- `tivelytowardand secured to thejlfenders for. tying said fenders' together and tothetractor body; a

pair of laterally spaced apart tractorauxiliarysupportingelements ontheinernber ahead Off'the and combined fender-'bracing and/enclosuremeansj'ifor' said elements extending transversely over said' memberahead of the axle and behind i and independently' of the rear end of thelongitudinal structure'and having' opposite end'por- :tions securedrespectively tothe fenders.`

4; For a tractor of the' type having a body including a longitudinalengine hood structure terminating at its rear end aheadof atransverserear axle structure extending respectively laterally at opposite sidesof the longitudinal structure to provide outer end portions sustainedrespectively on rolling elements at opposite sides of the tractor: anoperators station, comprising a pair of upright side sheets spaced apartlaterally and extending longitudinally respectively at opposite outerend portions of the axle structure to provide fenders lying respectivelyalong the inner sides of the rolling elements and spaced laterallyoutwardly from opposite sides of the longitudinal structure;fender-supporting means including a transverse member spacedlongitudinally from the axle structure and behind and independently ofthe rear end of the longitudinal structure and having opposite endportions respectively proximate to the fenders; means securing themember to the tractor body; means securing said opposite end portions ofthe member respectively to the fenders; tractor-auxiliary-supportingelements carried by said member behind and apart from the rear end ofthe longitudinal structure; and an enclosure for said elements includinga cover element spaced above the member and extending across the tractorbody between and interbracing the fenders and having opposite endportions respectively secured to the fenders above the end portions ofthe member.

5. For a tractor of the type having a body including a longitudinalengine hood structure terminating at its rear end aheadof atransverserear axle structure extending respectively laterally at opposite sidesof the longitudinal structure to provide outer end portions sustainedrespectively on rolling elements at opposite sides of the tractor: anoperators station, comprising a pair of upright side sheets spaced apartlaterally and extending longitudinally respectively at opposite outerend portions of the axle structure to provide fenders lying respectivelyalong the inner sides of the rolling elements and spaced laterallyoutwardly from opposite sides of the longitudinal structure, each fenderhaving an upper portion at a level above the level of the body portion;combined structural and enclosure means apart from the rear end of thelongitudinal structure and including a transversely elongated tunnellikeelement extending between the upper portions of the fenders and behindthe rear end of the longitudinal structure and having a plurality ofangularly related supporting portions rigidly securedtogether, at leastone of which is a base portion and at least `one of which is acoverrportion; means rigidly securing one of said element portions tothe tractor body; and means securing opposite ends of at least ra pairof the element portions respectively to the upper portions of thefenders. Y, 1 y

6. For av tractor including a longitudinal body carried on transverseaxle means havinga pair of laterally spaced rolling elements and havingan engine hood structure terminating at its rear end portion ahead ofthe axle means: an operators stationcoznprising a pair of laterallyspaced,

upright` side sheets providing, fenders for the rolling elementsand'disposed respectively along .opposite sidesof the'body and inwardlyof the rolling ,elements and extending longitudinally forwardly to haveforward portions transversely aligned at the rear end portion of theengine hood structure; and an enclosure structure vin'- cluding anupright/cowl member above the body and extending transversely betweenand secured at opposite ends to the fenders rearwardly of the rearendportion of the engine hood structure and having its upper edge at thelevel of the forward portions of the fenders, a generally horizontal topmember extending transversely between the fenders and joined at its rearedge to the top edge of the cowl member and extending forwardly from thelatter to the rear end portion of the engine hood structure, meanssecuring said top member at its opposite ends to the fenders, atransverse supporting means enclosed by said cowl and top member andsecured to the body and to the fenders and disposed below the top memberto provide a bottom in said enclosure structure, said top member havingan opening for access to the interior of said enclosure structure, and aremovable cover for said opening.

7. For a tractor having a longitudinal body carried on a pair oflaterally spaced apart traction elements and including an operatorsstation between the traction elements and provided with a seat ahead ofwhich is an operators standing area, and further including a narrowengine hood having a rear part including opposite sides spaced laterallyinwardly respectively from the traction elements and an upper portiondisposed at a level above the level of the standing area: a pair oflaterally spaced, upright fenders extending longitudinallyl of the bodyrespectively along opposite sides of the operators station and inwardlyof the traction elements and having forward portions substantially atthe level of and respectively alongside the rear part of the enginehood; and an enclosure structure connected to the fenders and extendingtransversely across the body from one fender to the other behind therear part of the engine hood and including a top portion below the levelof the upper portion of the hood, a rear portion providing a cowldepending toward the standing area, means providing a support enclosedby said top Vand cowl portions, a pair of front ,portionsV respectivelyclosing at least portions ofthe spaces `between the engine hood andfenders, one of the enclosure structure portions having an openingtherein for access to the interior of the enclosure means, andremovablev cover means for said opening.

8. In a tractor having a narrow ybody including a narrow forward enginehood structure car- "red on a pair of widely spaced rollin-g elements:

between the rolling elements and rearwardly of the engine hood structureand having such width las to project laterally beyond opposite sides ofthe ,engine hood structure; a pair of upright side sheets supported bythe body and lying respectively longitudinally along opposite sides `ofthe standing area inwardly of the rolling elements vand spaced apartlaterally according to the width of the standing area so as to be spacedlaterally outwardly respectively from opposite sides of the engine hoodstructure; means providing an elongated compartment structure of alength equal to the spacing between the side sheets and positioned aheadof the standing area and immediately rearward-ly of the engine hoodstructure, with its length crosswse of 'the body to extend between theside sheets and further having opposite end portions respectivelylaterally outwardly of opposite sides of the body and connectedrespectively to the side sheets; and a plurality of supports within thecompartment strucvturefor carrying storage batteries or the like,

one such support being located in each end portion of said compartmentstructure.

' EMIL F. JIRSA.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS g NumberY Name Date D. 113,555 Erickson Feb. 28, 1939 1,234,561 Pilkington July24,1917 1,341,355 Browne May 25,1920 1,488,136 Simpson Mar. 25j, 1924t1,498,268 Harris June17, 1924 1,517,323 Trahan Dec.' 2 1924 1,773,496Osman Aug. 19,1930 1,779,142 Osman Oct. 21, 1930i I '1,945,169 WalkerJan. 30 .1934l 1,958,862 Radford 'May 15, 1934 2,099,790 Baker et alNov.. 23, 1937.Vv 2,360,056 .Hetshu Oct. 10, 1944v 2,862,719 Radtke Nov.14 1944 2,363,052 Eberhard Nov. 21 1944 2,442,889 Deal June 8, 1948

